Bikeriders Serenade

The Call For Help

The late afternoon sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the lawn. Austin leaned back in his chair, enjoying the cool breeze and the calm that came with moments like this. After the whirlwind of the past few years, moments of peace had become sacred to him. He inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air fill his lungs, when the sudden buzz of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts.

He glanced down at the screen and saw a familiar name flash across it: Lori-Anne. His heart skipped a beat.

Lori-Anne was a young fan he had connected with after his story of sobriety and struggles with mental health had inspired her. They’d exchanged a few messages over social media, and she had shared how much his openness had helped her through her own battles. She was strong and determined, and though they hadn’t spoken in a while, he was always happy to hear from her.

But something about this call felt different.

A wave of concern washed over him as he quickly answered, “Hey, Lori-Anne!” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “It’s been a while—what’s up?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment. Then, when Lori-Anne’s voice finally came through, Austin’s heart sank. Her voice was shaky, filled with fear and anxiety. “Austin… I—I’m in trouble.”

Austin’s breath caught in his throat, and he immediately felt the urgency in her words. He stood up from his chair, the peaceful atmosphere of the backyard instantly replaced with a sense of dread. He did his best to stay calm, for her sake.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he said, keeping his voice steady. “Tell me what’s going on. Where are you?”

Lori-Anne’s voice cracked as she continued, “I—I didn’t know who else to call… I’m scared. I don’t feel safe here.”

Austin’s pulse quickened. Safe? Where was she? What was happening?

“Listen to me,” he said, forcing his voice to stay calm even though panic was creeping up his spine. “I want you to send me your location, okay? I’m coming to get you.”

A soft sniffle came through the line, but she responded, “Okay.” A moment later, his phone buzzed again as her location popped up on his screen.

Austin glanced at it, and his gut twisted. The pin was dropped in an unfamiliar part of the city, far from where he expected. It was an area known for trouble—an area that definitely wasn’t safe for a young girl like Lori-Anne.

He clenched his jaw, determination flooding his system. He couldn’t go into this alone. He didn’t know what kind of situation he was walking into, and the last thing he wanted was to make things worse by being unprepared. He needed backup—people who knew how to handle themselves in potentially dangerous situations.

Without wasting any time, Austin scrolled through his contacts and made a few quick calls. His mind raced as the phone rang, but relief washed over him as the first voice on the other end picked up.

“Jason,” Austin said, his voice low and serious. “I need your help.”

Jason Momoa, one of his closest friends, didn’t even hesitate. “What’s going on, brother?”

Austin quickly explained the situation, keeping it brief but clear. “A young girl I know—Lori-Anne—she’s in trouble. I don’t know all the details, but it’s not good. She just sent me her location, and it’s in a rough part of town. I’m going to pick her up, but I don’t want to go alone.”

Jason was silent for a moment, then his voice came through firm and reassuring. “I’ve got your back. I’ll meet you at your place, and we’ll figure it out.”